If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Weakened Friends Album : Feels Like Hell Quick Thoughts : Sometimes I listen to an album from a band I love and wonder why they aren't huge. Weakened Friends is a regional act that keeps putting out great music that speaks to the alt-rock of its influences while still keeping a finger on the pulse of modern indie, and their new album should be the thing that propels them upward and outward if there's any justice left in the world. Yes, it has the Natalie Imbruglia cover of "Torn" (although it really borrows more from the original Ednaswap version), but it also has "Tough Luck" which is their best song since "Tunnels" snf NPC with a random Buckethead appearance, so... I mean, there are few bands doing quite as much as well as Weakened Friends are, and they deserve to be huge. A great listen. Songs of Note : "Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)," "Nosebleed," "NPC," "Smoke and Mirrors," "Great Expecta...

Photo by Gil Costello If you're going to call your backing band The Noise, your music has to be at least a little bit noisy. Justin Webb & The Noise just released "Terrestrial Radio," which is a fairly straightforward rocker considering how noisy it is. It's a bizarre and unique blend of garage rock, punk, soul, and jangle pop. It's more than a little unhinged in the best possible way, and sounds kind of like if Screamin' Jay Hawkins jammed with The Hives, and they decided to write a huge hit, but then changed their mind halfway through and just had fun. The only complaint is that at a little over two minutes, "Terrestrial Radio" ends abruptly, right around when you decide that you truly love the song. You can listen to "Terrestrial Radio" below. For more on Justin Webb & The Noise, check out the band on Instagram .

Photo by Charlie Weinmann For their latest single, Los Angeles' SML took a live recording from The Empty Bottle in Chicago to start with. As with much of SML's releases, "Chicago Four" stretches the boundaries of what is considered jazz to the point that it could be argued that the song isn't actually jazz. It's a synth heavy soundscape that is going to push the limits of what many experimental music fans can accept. "Chicago Four" swirls around itself in a unique way, and the song ends before you're even quite sure what you just listened to. The song is three and a half minutes long, but seems to be much shorter than that, which is exceedingly rare in experimental music. Approach "Chicago Four" with an open mind, and you may just be rewarded. You can watch the video for "Chicago Four" below. How You Been is due out November 7 on International Anthem, and is available to pre-order here . For more on SML, check out the artist...

Photo by Alexander Richter billy woods has already released one of the albums of the year with the killer GOLLIWOG , and now he's back with new music with Armand Hammer, his project with ELUCID. "Super Nintendo" is a stripped down hip hop track that focuses on the lyrcs and flow of billy woods and ELUCID. The Alchemist's production includes music that certainly sounds like vintage video game music. In fact, there is barely anything representing a beat in "Super Nintendo." This is certainly not your traditional hip hop track, but Armand Hammer have never been your traditional hip hop group.  You can listen to "Super Nintendo" below. Mercy is due out November 7 on Backwood Studioz and Rhymesayers Entertainment, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Armand Hammer, check out the group on Instagram and Twitter .

Photo by Bianca Garza When we brought you Kalia Vandever's "Staring at the Cracked Window" last month, I said it would appeal to fans of classic jazz and more experimental/noise rock. That sentiment also applies to her latest single, "Cycle in Mourning." The roots of classic and more traditional jazz are in the song, but Vandever takes that base and then meanders off in her own direction. Plus, while most people consider jazz to be soothing, this new single is anything but. At times the song sounds downright eerie, and could even spike a listener's anxiety. Much like some of our favorite noise rock artists, and "Cycle in the Mourning" does that without having to resort to loud volume. Kalia Vandever says of her latest single: "Cycle In Mourning is a cyclical and slowly evolving piece that represents the different phases of grief and the way you find yourself caught in a pattern. The piece gradually transforms, leaving you in a state of wonder ...

Miki Berenyi Photo by Ken Sears If you've heard Miki Berenyi Trio's excellent 2025 album Tripla , then you already want to see them live. As soon as the band announced an October 12 show at The Sinclair in Cambridge, MA, I instantly made plans to attend. Once it was announced that this would most likely be their final US tour, I knew nothing, not even a deluge from a nor'easter, would stop me. Taking the stage in a two guitars, one bass, and programmed drums formation, Miki Berenyi Trio played mostly from the just released Tripla. Live their songs had a slightly adjusted sound, with most alternating between dream pop and shoegaze, and others creating an almost dance party friendly version of shoegaze. The more mellow songs had just a slightly enhanced pep to them, and they were all even more lovely live. Miki Berenyi has been performing since the late 80's, and she commanded the stage. She's one of those performers you simply can't stop watching, whether she...

Photo via Facebook I first discovered Sammy Brue way back in 2017 when he was opening for Justin Townes Earle at sixteen. Now in his mid-20's, he's back with an upcoming album that's a tribute to his late mentor. When I wrote about the show at The Sinclair eight years ago, I commented that Brue had huge potential, and with "Lord, I'm Ready Now," he's realized that potential. The influence of Justin Townes Earle can be heard in the song, but this is one hundred percent Brue's song. The song is Brue and his guitar, and it's reaching to the pinnacle of the Americana/folk genre. Clocking in at just over two and a half minutes, "Lord, I'm Ready Now" can't truly be compared to anyone but Brue himself. He may not be rewriting the genre with this single, but Brue brings a voice to the genre that is all his. You can listen to "Lord, I'm Ready Now" below. The Journals is due out January 23 on Bloodshot Records, and is availabl...

Photo by Kim Christoffel A lot of modern alt-rock is either rooted in or flat out copying the alt-rock of the 90's. Cusp takes a new direction and is making a fully modern version of the genre. The Chicago band's latest single, "In a Box," is going to appeal to open minded fans of the 90's while reaching out to an entirely new audience. The song is wonderfully melodic, and even the noisier bits are infused with melody. It's a powerful track that is uplifting in a way music wasn't allowed to be in the 90's. The song has such a positive sound to it that I suspect it simply can't be as positive as it sounds, which is probably why I'm enjoying it as much as I am. Singer/guitarist Jen Bender says of the new song: “‘In A Box’ is the crux of the record and feels as timely as when it was written over a year ago. The track is a reflection on [my] persistent inner conversations about comfort, art, and purpose - and questions what impact art can have if t...

Photo by Olivia St. Arnold Boston's Bicycle Inn have a new single out off of their upcoming album, and it's emo meets alt-rock perfection. "Ordinary Hell" is a midtempo track that feels both faster and slower than it is. It's a decidedly emo track with just enough of an alt-rock edge to avoid being too poppy. It's reminding me of a band like Sunny Day Real Estate, just maybe a step or two more in the direction of mainstream emo than that. It's the kind of song that sees Bicycle Inn wearing their hearts fully on their sleeves, and "Ordinary Hell" is an oddly beautiful and highly emotional track. Bicycle Inn say of their latest single: “ ‘Ordinary Hell’ is a critique on the dead-faith culture of today. It’s a deeper look behind the curtain of evangelical emptiness — a gospel presiding over the endless push and pull of suffering, only for those deemed ‘blessed’ and ‘filled’ to realize they are empty.  It’s a reflection on the cyclical nature of rely...

"American Farts" might be a stereotypical ska-punk song title, but Detroit's The Boy Detective elevate their song by that title to new heights. The song (which is a reference to Piebald's "American Hearts" and even uses the "Hey! You're a part of it" from that song) is a fun and horn heavy song begging you to scream/sing along. The Boy Detective might be the pinnacle of the genre, and take a song called "American Farts" and make it respectable. Plus, the song leans more into the punk side of ska-punk, complete with great gang vocals. If you never left your first ska phase, or are also having a second ska phase midlife crisis, The Boy Detective are for you. Benny Capaul (vocals) says of his band's new single: “Sometimes you just want to take your partner out for a ride, crank up the stereo, roll down the windows and sing out your lungs. The little things, that’s all…” You can watch the video for "American Farts" below. Di...

Photo via Facebook If you've been reading If It's Too Loud... for any amount of time, you'll know that we love STL GLD. The Boston hip hop group have their own sound going on that combines classic hip hop, rock, punk, and a newer blend of hip hop for their own style. Now they're back with a new single, and holy shit, this one is great. This is how pure hip hop should sound in 2025. It's roots are in the golden age of hip hop, but moving forward into the future. It's both stripped down with a ton going on in the song. Plus, the chorus of "Oooh, it ain't hard to tell" is going to be a blast to shout along to at their next live shows. "80's Babies" is smooth as hell with a rough edge to it that keeps the whole thing interesting. Get ready to have your mind blown by STL GLD yet again. You can watch the video for "80's Babies" below. Good Music for Bad Kids is due out November 14 on AR Classic Records, and is available for pr...

Photo by Zoe Hopper Tiberius started off as the solo project of Brendan Wright, and then became a full band when they moved from Rutland, VT to Boston. The band's new single, "Painting of a Tree," goes off in a different direction than the previous singles for their upcoming album. This new one is a lovely and mostly quiet ballad that is more along the lines of the softer sides of emo. This one reminds me of The Get Up Kids' ballads, but mixed with a folkier/Americana element. The song also shifts into an epic, noisier section that's along the lines of Sunny Day Real Estate. As great as the other singles off the upcoming Troubadour have been, "Painting of a Tree" is simply next level, and gets exponentially better with every listen. Brendan Wright says of their band's latest single: “There’s this older man I work with - a kooky gentleman who’s kind of off his rocker - but at the same time can incite this erudite understanding of the human condition. ...

Somehow it's been two years since we've had new music from JVK. The Boston band have been quite busy playing shows pretty much everywhere in that time, but now they're finally back with new music. "Get Offline" shows a change in sound for the band. It's still a killer mix of punk rock and pop (but nothing like pop punk), but this new single sees them adding a ton of synth to their sound. This is a glammed up version of JVK that also captures the rawness of their live show in a way that their previous recordings didn't. It's gloriously retro while still moving forward, and somehow as JVK moves toward pop they're more punk than ever before. You can listen to "Get Offline" below. JVK is currently working on their debut album. For more on the band, check out their website .

Photo by Jim Newberry NPR music has described Natural Information Society as "... a driving force in Chicago's vibrant jazz, post-rock, indie, and creative music scene." Their latest single, "Perseverance Flow (Rally Guts & Humors Edit)," is a minimalist experimental jazz track remixed to add some dub to the sound. It's a unique blend of sounds that is almost impossibly cool, and just a little odd. Jazz hybrids are always welcome here, and Natural Information Society have one of the more interesting ones with this song. There's an interesting dichotomy of upbeat and eerie present on "Perseverance Flow (Rally Guts & Humors Edit)," with neither side truly becoming dominant at any point in the song. Joshua Abrams says of his band's latest single: " Perseverance Flow   is a through-composed piece I wrote for NIS, recorded live-to-tape one afternoon at  Electrical Audio  then dubbed out through Echoplex, plate, and more. The 'Ra...

Photo by Charlie Barclay Harris Westside Cowboy started after James (Jimmy) Bradbury read Billy Bragg's book on the history of skiffle. The band may have been inspired by the early UK rock and roll movement described in Roots, Radicals and Rockers , but they certainly don't sound much like that genre. Their latest single, "Don't Throw Rocks," has a much more indie rock style, with a guitar sound that seems to combine country twang with indie rock whine. Despite being just over three minutes, "Don't Throw Rocks" is a giant epic of a song that builds and builds upon itself. Westside Cowboy have crafted an impressive new single that has us desperately craving more. The band says of their new single: “Jimmy’s lyrics on this deal a lot in time and change, and how it, more often than not, moves out of our control and without niceties. We wanted the music to reflect this too. With each section, we wanted to add a new gear, to increase the intensity until it...

Photo courtesy of the band Dirt Road Souls are a new Americana band out of Boston. Their new single, "Hold on Soul," is from their upcoming concept album about Johnny Moonshine, a smalltown rebel, moonshine runner, and tragic figure. The song combines country rock and Southern gothic into a sound that is both new and familiar. It has all of the pain and yearning associated with country while avoiding the trappings of modern mainstream country. It's great enough that fans of alt-country or classic country are going to be immediately won over, but oddly accessible enough that it could very well win over more mainstream fans. Typically alt-country is considered music that's too rock for country and too country for rock, but "Hold on Soul" is just the right amount of both. Davis Black says of his band's latest single: “‘Hold on Soul’ was first written many years ago when I had left my small town and gone off to start a life in Boston. After high school and c...

We've been fans of Tristen's for a while now, ever since discovering her opening for Justin Townes Earle way back in 2012. Her sound has evolved from a more alt-country sound to an alt-pop one, and we've been with her all the way. This week she released two new singles and videos for "Because Your Love is Mine" and "Skin of Our Teeth." The former seamlessly melds both her alt-country and pop sides. It has jangly guitars, some amazing pop hooks, and just enough twang to make her original country fans happy. "Skin of Our Teeth" is a little more pop focused, with a faster beat perfect to dance to, but with guitar that's a little more rock based than "Because Your Love is Mine." Both songs are fairly different but pair together perfectly. These are fun songs that will appeal to long term fans of Tristen's, and are sure to bring in new ones as well. You can watch the videos for "Because Your Love is Mine" and "Skin o...

Photo by Rae Mascardo Alma Mu ñ eca are an art-pop band based out of Austin, TX. Their latest single, "Anhelo," is an exciting burst of pop music that's going to appeal to those who don't typically enjoy anything pop related. The song certainly has modern pop elements to it, more so on the alt-pop side. But it also has some strong roots in 90's electronica or techno. Once the beat starts truly kicking in, those of us that went through a post Trainspotting club or rave phase are going to start having flashbacks. I can't quite put my finger on it, but "Anhelo" also has some indie rock vibes to it. If you bristle at the term pop, you still need to give Alma Mu ñ eca a shot. Lead singer Coc ó  Allegra says of the band's latest single: "How can I feel so passionate and loving about someone yet I also feel so much confusion, anger and sadness about them too? Keeping yourself hopeful in hopeless moments, freezing time with my lyrics and sharing it ...

Photo by Adam Alonzo Skullcrusher typically releases music that's intimate and stripped down, and that's certainly what her latest single is. What makes "Living" different from what we're used to is that it's not exactly a beautiful song. Sure, there's beauty throughout, but "Living" has an oddly disturbing element to it. There's something unsettling about the way the song is structured. It might also be the closest to a pure folk song that Skullcrusher has released to date. It's still intimate, although it's more lush than "March" was. This one is a great song you're going to love, but be warned that it may just unearth some unexpected emotions within you. Helen Ballentine (aka Skullcrusher) says of her latest single: “One day I was wandering around Brooklyn and I felt like I was watching everything through a window or on a screen. I felt like everyone was moving so fluidly and certainly like moving through a piece of c...

No one sounds quite like The Lowliest One. The Kingston, NY based band recently released a new single, "Cash Only," that is going to blow you away. The song is a dark and moody rant somewhere between indie rock and post-punk. It has the dark and moody guitars of The Cure, the noise of Sonic Youth, a vocal delivery akin to Violent Femmes, and this is all with a twang trying to hide behind all of the noise. The song is wonderfully intense, and it could either be an acquired taste or have a surprising amount of accessibility. With songs like this I can never tell, but The Lowliest One have a killer song on their hands that is sure to win many of you over. You can listen to "Cash Only" below. The song will be included on their upcoming album Cascades.  For more on The Lowliest One, check out the band on Instagram and their website . Cash Only by The Lowliest One

Odario was born in Guyana and raised in Winnipeg. His latest single sees him teaming with UK dub legend Mad Professor and producer Chaix. "Double Up" is a mixture of hip hop and dub, which obviously work perfectly together. This one feels like it would have been huge when I was in college, as it fits in with the late 90's vibes of artists like Jurassic 5 and Dilated Peoples. Also Bob Marley's Legend was basically given out to all incoming freshmen back then, so sounds like "Double Up" were omnipresent in my college experience. Odario and Mad Professor have come upon a fantastic sound with this one, and we could all use something this wonderfully chill in 2025. Odario says of his latest single: “In my music, I’ve always wanted to bridge the sound of my upbringing with where I’m headed. Double Up is personal—it merges the reggae and dub I grew up with through my father’s records, and the hip-hop culture that shaped me as a writer. It feels like I’m standing in...

Photo by Kate LeMendola Girl Tones are sisters Kenzie and Laila. Their latest single, "Burnout," is a guitar driven song that would have been considered alt-rock in the 90's but might be classified more as pop in 2025. It's going to remind you a lot of bands like Letters to Cleo and Veruca Salt. What's interesting is how fuzzed out and raw the guitar sounds in "Burnout" while the song is still quite poppy. It's a little garage rock, and a whole lot of fun. Girl Tones are one of those bands that we could see blow up in the very near future, and if they keep releasing killer songs like "Burnout," it will be well deserved. Vocalist Kenzie says of the band's latest single: “‘Burnout’ is about our attention spans shrinking and the need for instant gratification. The pressure of constantly producing and consuming. How do we keep up without burning out? This song inspires me to slow down and enjoy the smaller things in life and preserve the cr...

Hailing from San Francisco, Sonny & The Sunsets have one of the most gloriously unique yet familiar styles of music out there. Their latest single, "Something to Let Go Of," was created during a trip to Senegal, is a thrilling mixture of beach music, cosmic psychedelia, and African rhythms. The band's Bandcamp description describes their music as "busted beach-pop," and that's just about the perfect description. It features percussion from Khadim Nyong and vocals from Theresa N'Gambi and Kelly McFarling, which creates this brilliant mash-up of The Beach Boys, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Jonathan Richman, and Sun Ra. "Something to Let Go Of" has such a brilliant and pleasant sound, no true music fan will be able to deny this one. You can listen to "Something to Let Go Of" below. The Diving Kind is due out November 14 on Rocks in Your Head Records, and is available to pre-order through Bandcamp . For more on Sonny & The Sunsets...

Sulka is the musical project of Glasgow's Lukas Clasen. His latest single, "Halloween," is an oddly spooky DIY singer-songwriter track that shows off the best of what self-produced melodic rock can sound like. It's a lush and fully fleshed out song while still having all of the best DIY qualities as well. It grabs your attention not despite how quiet it is, but instead because of how quiet it is. Plus, "Halloween" isn't a 90's bedroom recording throwback. This sounds purely 2025, and mixes it's beauty and its rough edges together into a perfect little package. Even if the song wasn't perfect for the spooky season, we'd still be enamored with the latest from Sulka. Lukas Clasen says of his latest single: “Halloween is a song I produced last year as part of a new collection that returns to my DIY style of doing things. I tracked all of the parts myself and slowly built up its sonic characteristics over time, with the addition of synths prog...

Photo by Allister Ann Madi Diaz has long been one of those artists that seems to be on the precipice of breaking out, and her upcoming album might be what finally does it. Her latest single, "Why'd You Have to Bring Me Flowers," is a melancholy country/Americana song that leans heavily into the singer-songwriter genre. It's a simple song consisting of Diaz's vocals and guitar, but it couldn't be more captivating. Diaz just has this little something in her voice that is impossible to resist, and her songwriting keeps getting better with every release. Don't be surprised if your kids/nieces and nephews are mentioning Diaz at your next family get-together, which will be followed by hearing any of the songs from Fatal Optimist being played in your office by the spring. Madi Diaz says of her upcoming album: “ Fatal Optimism  is the innate hope for something magical. It’s the weird faith that kicks in while knowing that there is just plain risk that comes with w...